Ohio Valley Dog Owners, Inc.

Protecting dogs, dog owners and our neighbors
through education and community service

Ohio dog laws

In Ohio, counties enforce state animal control law by hiring a dog warden and
providing equipment and housing for stray dogs and dogs accused of dangerous
behavior. Each county sets its dog license fee to provide a budget for dog warden
services.

Some cities expand on state law by adding breed-specific bans, number limits,
and other restrictions on dog ownership. They fund enforcement of these laws
out of their general fund budget or by special license fees.

Some townships limit dog ownership through zoning laws that place number restrictions
on properties of various sizes.

Chapter 955, covers dog control law

955.01 requires all dogs more than three months of age to be licensed.

955.03 specifies that dogs are personal property

955.04 covers current kennel licensing law

955.12 covers the duties of dog wardens

955.22 covers confinement or restraint of dog; liability insurance for dangerous
dogs; and debarking or surgically silencing a dangerous dog.

955.99 covers the fines and penalties for violating the sections in this
chapter.

Animal cruelty law is covered in ORC 959

Some pertinent sections are:

959.01 -959.03 cover abandonment, poisoning, and injuring of animals.

959.04 covers the rights of property owners if animals trespass

959.131-132 cover offenses against companion animals, defined as "any
animal that is kept inside a residential dwelling and any dog or cat regardless
of where it is kept." Wild animals and livestock are excluded from the
definition.

959.16 covers prohibitions against dog fighting

To get copies of local laws affecting animal ownership, try the local government
website. If the information is not available online, contact the city, township,
or county clerk and ask for a copy of the animal laws.

To follow the progress of pending laws and regulations in Ohio, check the OVDO
alert page.

To contact state legislators on issues affecting dog ownership, go to the state
assembly website at http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/
and search for contact information for your representative or senator.

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) is part of the Ohio Valley DogOwners, Inc website and is copyright 2006 by
Ohio Valley Dog Owners, Inc. Permission is hereby given to freely circulate
any material from the OVDO website in printed form and via electronic mailing
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